Pig cells show promise for diabetics

Transplants of pig cells have cured diabetes in rats without the need for immunosuppressive drugs. The finding was a complete surprise to the researchers, who have yet to explain it. Marc Hammerman, the Chromalloy Professor of Renal Diseases in Medicine at the School of Medicine, transplanted cells taken from the developing pancreas in pig embryos into rats whose insulin-producing pancreatic cells had been destroyed. Half the rats were given immunosuppressants; half were not. Even without drugs, the pig cells survived for more than 40 weeks. "From a practical point of view, if it works, it doesn't matter why," said Hammerman.

•	Pig cells show promise for diabetics Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sunday, March 14, 2004

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